Alaska

New book on Alaska's microgrids collects stories of the people behind them

A new book profiles Alaska's microgrids and the people behind them, including a woman who signed her letters for village power "Housewife, Stony River."

by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Rose, Holdmann say Southcentral gas imports look unavoidable and urge state policy

The founders of REAP and UAF's energy center say Southcentral probably can't avoid importing gas, and want a new governor to "knock heads" among utilities.

by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

State proposes full leases for Alaska LNG pipeline route, replacing conditional leases

The state proposed Friday to give Alaska LNG full leases for its 807-mile pipeline route. Closed financing, final contracts and a tax deal are still pending.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min read

Follows: Alaska LNG asks DNR to convert conditional pipeline leases to full leases

Alaska Supreme Court upholds borough's denial of Anchor Point gravel pit permit

The Alaska Supreme Court upheld the denial of an Anchor Point gravel pit after an eight-year fight, saying the owner's must-approve reading defies common sense.

by Bill AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Fish and Game sets second Shaped by Wildlife storytelling night Nov. 13 in Palmer

Fish and Game hosts its second Shaped by Wildlife storytelling night Nov. 13 in Palmer. Proceeds support the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read

USDA will back loans of up to $175 million for seafood plants in $5 billion program

USDA says seafood plants can apply for federally backed loans of up to $175 million starting Tuesday. Its own program page still says the money is pending.

by Melinda Communities.News3w ago2 min read

Solomon tribe helps buy Nome's utility a bucket truck with federal grid money

The Village of Solomon put $125,000 toward a bucket truck for Nome's utility. It's the first tribe in its Bering Strait consortium to start spending its share.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Fish and Game and Forest Service to hear public Nov. 2 on Prince of Wales wolf trapping

Fish and Game and the Forest Service want to hear from Prince of Wales residents Nov. 2 before this fall's wolf trapping season. Last year got 31 days.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Nome loses power citywide during storm after generator shuts down with second unit offline

Nome lost power citywide during Friday's storm when one generator shut itself down while another was offline for maintenance. State offices let workers go.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Justice Department sues to hold up Alaska Senate result if second Sullivan tips the race

The Justice Department sued Alaska to hold up the Senate result if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses and votes for the other Daniel Sullivan would have flipped it.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Alaska students can propose a glacier name for the Tustumena's replacement ferry

Alaska students can pitch a name for the Tustumena's replacement ferry, as long as it's a glacier, and the Legislature gets the final say. Essays due Nov. 23.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Proposal deadlines have passed on two Air Force plans to lease Eielson land

Bids were due this summer on Air Force plans to lease Eielson land for AI data centers and for housing. Fairbanks' mayor flagged it in July. No winner yet.

by Melinda Communities.News3w ago2 min read

Geist Road clinic seeks permit to expand and approval for a lot it already built

After its rezone deadlocked planners, a Geist Road orthopedic clinic seeks a permit to expand. Its new parking lot got built before it got permitted.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Sitka Assembly weighs asking voters for a summer sales tax bump to fund child care

Sitka may ask summer shoppers to chip in a nickel per $10 for child care, with voters deciding in February whether to raise the summer sales tax to 6.5%.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

NOAA finalizes call for bids to run its Fairbanks satellite station

NOAA made its call for a company to run its Fairbanks satellite station official. What changed from last week's draft? Mostly the word "draft."

by Melinda Communities.News3w ago2 min read

Eric Forrer and former Rep. David Eastman sue Dunleavy and DNR in Juneau Superior Court

Eric Forrer and ex-Rep. David Eastman sued Dunleavy, the state and DNR in Juneau. What they want is anyone's guess; the complaint isn't online.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Ketchikan resident urges hospital committee to back a PeaceHealth-paid ombudsperson

A Ketchikan resident wants a PeaceHealth-paid patient ombudsperson. Another said with low turnout, the town gets the hospital care it didn't vote for.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Alaska trains addiction providers on new treatment guidelines it plans to adopt

Alaska's behavioral health rules have cited 2013 addiction care guidelines. The state is training providers on the 2023 update, including on Nov. 12.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Avalanche work brings intermittent closures to Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway

DOT triggers avalanches at Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway Friday, noon to 4pm, causing intermittent closures. Winter avalanches there can strand travelers for days.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read

UAF honors Cordova Electric CEO Clay Koplin for microgrid work in Cordova

UAF honored Cordova Electric CEO Clay Koplin for microgrid work in a town with no outside power line, a few months before he takes over Matanuska Electric.

by Melinda Communities.News3w ago1 min read

State moves to expand lease for Alyeschem's North Slope methanol and diesel plant

The state moved Friday to give Alyeschem's North Slope methanol and diesel plant a bit more elbow room, adding 11.7 acres to its lease and dropping 9.22.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

December rockfish opening set for Southeast inside waters as outer coast stays closed

Southeast fishermen get a December shot at yelloweye and other bottom rockfish in inside waters. The outer coast stays closed for the rest of the year.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Cape Blossom Road closes for second stage of project to cut Kotzebue freight costs

The road south of Kotzebue toward Cape Blossom is closed for the second stage of construction on a project meant to cut freight costs for the region.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read

Alaska Marine Lines raises its Western and Arctic barge fuel surcharge to 16.5%

Alaska Marine Lines raised its fuel surcharge on barge freight to Western and Arctic Alaska to 16.5%, more than double what it charged at the end of 2024.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readFrom Oct 9

Port MacKenzie would freeze 2027 dock rates and add fees for guards and late ships

Port MacKenzie would hold dock rates flat next year and add fees for armed guards and late ships. A commissioner says it has "a problem with no traffic."

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readFrom Oct 19

Corps proposes raising and rebuilding Ketchikan's Bar Harbor breakwaters

Army Corps plans to raise and rebuild Ketchikan's deteriorating Bar Harbor breakwaters, protecting moorage for 520 fishing boats. Public comments on the draft plan are due Nov. 21.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Park Service will again hold local hearings before Alaska park hunting closures

The Park Service will again hold local hearings and use newspapers, radio and post offices before closing Alaska park lands to hunting, fishing or trapping.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readFrom Oct 19

Park Service drops permit for subsistence users gathering antlers and bones for crafts

Rural subsistence users won't need a permit to collect antlers and bones for handicrafts in Alaska park areas after Nov. 18, dropping a 2017 requirement.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min readFrom Oct 19

Seward asks residents how to ease congestion between harbor, cruise dock and downtown

Seward wants ideas on easing navigation and congestion between its harbor, cruise dock and downtown, and is asking for them at an open house Tuesday.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min read

Regulators approve Golden Valley's plan for rolling outages in the Interior

State regulators approved Golden Valley's rolling-outage plan, so if the Interior runs short of power, zones take turns in the dark for up to an hour.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Soldotna Elementary parents and staff propose a charter that keeps neighborhood enrollment

Soldotna Elementary parents want a charter where neighborhood kids skip the lottery, application and parent contract. The school board reviews it Monday.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Follows: Soldotna Elementary parents and staff seek to convert their school to a charter

Energy official says Alaska tribal projects draw about half of $125 million federal selection

The U.S. Energy Department picked 20 Alaska tribal projects for about half of a $125 million funding round, covering power plants from Noatak to Port Graham.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Begich tells AFN Southcentral Foundation land transfer is law; Sullivan lists his bills

Begich told AFN the Southcentral Foundation land transfer was signed this week, and he and Sullivan walked delegates through their other laws and stalled bills.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Justice Pate tells AFN he knows of no Alaska Native judge since Roy Madsen

Justice Jude Pate told AFN that, to his knowledge, Alaska hasn't had an Alaska Native judge since Roy Madsen, and laid out how the courts hope to change that.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago3 min read

Listening sessions tell AFN tribes want real authority over fish, wildlife and land

At 13 AFN listening sessions, participants said tribes need real authority over fish, wildlife and land. AFN presents the findings at its convention Friday.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago3 min readFrom Oct 16

Groups backing Bill Hill spend more than $400,000 urging Alaskans not to rank Eric Hafner

Two groups backing independent Bill Hill have spent nearly $400,000 on ads attacking Democrat Eric Hafner in Alaska's US House race.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Seward council takes up moving city elections to November, starting in 2027

Seward council holds a public hearing Monday on moving city elections to November, enabling a November 2027 vote.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Blizzard expected to bring 65 mph gusts and heavy snow to the Seward Peninsula Friday

A blizzard is set to hit the Seward Peninsula Friday with 65 mph gusts and up to 15 inches of snow. A second, weaker storm follows Sunday into Monday.

by Maggie AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Homer port director recommends inflation increases for most 2027 dock and harbor rates

Homer's port director wants most dock fees to rise with inflation. He's also eyeing Anchorage, where a cargo surcharge nearly triples in January.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read

Pier One Theatre seeks one more Homer Spit lease, and port staff want it to be the last

Pier One Theatre wants five more years in its $1-a-year city warehouse on the Homer Spit. Port staff say fine, but make it the last lease. The theater agrees.

by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago2 min read